Rotary engine converter

ABSTRACT

This disclosure is that of an invention directed to a rotary engine converter so constructed that it may be used either as an internal or external combustion engine, a fluid pump or as a gas or air compressor. The basic configuration consists of a stationary housing within which is rotatably mounted a disc-like primary circular rotor having a parallel-sided chamber symmetrically disposed with respect to its axis of rotation and a secondary circular rotor rotatable within the parallel sides of the chamber of the primary rotor and eccentrically affixed to a shaft that is mounted within the housing for rotation about an axis that is disposed in parallel offset relation to that of the primary rotor. The relation between the diameter of the secondary rotor within the parallel sides of the chamber of the primary rotor and the distance between the axes of the primary rotor and the shaft being such that for each revolution of the primary rotor with respect to the housing two revolutions of the shaft will occur and that due to the relative motions between the primary and secondary rotors there will be only a single relative revolution between the primary and secondary rotors. The housing and opposite ends of the primary rotor chamber are suitably ported for intake and discharge and the basic configurations may be arranged in multiples for operation with respect to a single shaft common to all secondary rotors. The basic configurations also may be arranged in dual units, each of which functions with suitable inter-stage manifolding as a two stage assembly, in order to provide substantially 360.degree. power operation.

United States Patent [1 1 Paul, Jr.

i 1 ROTARY ENGINE CONVERTER Herman L. Paul, Jr., 720 Old Mill Rd,Wyomissing, Pa. l96l0 [22] Filed: Aug. 27, 1973 [2]] Appl. No.: 392,072

[76] Inventor:

Prinmry Enuuincr-C J. Husar Assistant E.ruminw'Leonard Smith Armmey.Agent, or Firm-Thomas E. Tate [57] ABSTRACT This disclosure is that ofan invention directed to a rotary engine converter so constructed thatit may be used either as an internal or external combustion en ginc, afluid pump or as a gas or air compressor. The

[ 1 Apr. 8, 1975 basic configuration consists of a stationary housingwithin which is rotatably mounted a disc-like primary circular rotorhaving a parallel-sided chamber symmetrically disposed with respect toits axis of rotation and a secondary circular rotor rotatable within theparallel sides of the chamber of the primary rotor and eccentricallyaffixed to a shaft that is mounted within the housing for rotation aboutan axis that is disposed in parallel offset relation to that of theprimary rotor. The relation between the diameter of the secondary rotorwithin the parallel sides of the chamber of the primary rotor and thedistance between the axes of the primary rotor and the shaft being suchthat for each revolution of the primary rotor with respect to thehousing two revolutions of the shaft will occur and that due to therelative motions between the primary and secondary rotors there will beonly a single relative revolution between the primary and secondaryrotors. The housing and opposite ends of the primary rotor chamber aresuitably ported for intake and discharge and the basic configurationsmay be arranged in multiples for operation with respect to a singleshaft common to all secondary rotors, The basic configurations also maybe arranged in dual units, each of which functions with suitableinter-stage manifolding as a two stage assembly. in order to providesubstantially 360 power operation.

4 Claims. 14 Drawing Figures SHEET 2 IF 5 EXHAUST) INTAKE FIGSCOMPRESSION; A

A [EXPANSION dflu EXHAUST COMPRESSION) \INTAKE FIG. 2 OMPRESSIONAIGNITION 8| EXPANSION EXHAUST COMPRESSION/141' EXHAUST FIG 6 9 EXPANSION:4 \INTAKE F I G. 3

INTAKE I4 \INTAKE F I G. 4

COMPRESSION) A PATENTEUAPR 812275 15 Off;

SOC

ROTARY ENGINE CONVERTER THE INVENTION This invention relates generallyto new and useful improvements in rotary types of internal combustionengines, pumps or compressors and particularly seeks to provide a novelrotary energy converter for such purposes.

Heretofore, such machines typically have required either; l the use ofafixed or rotary housing provided with a multi-lobed chamber within whicha multi-lobed offset rotor rotates, thus creating one or more variablecapacity compression or expansion chambers; or (2) have required the useof axially reciprocable pistons acting against a swash or wobble plate;or (3) have required the use of relatively angularly variable rotorvanes in order to provide the necessary changes in the volumetriccapacities of the respective chambers.

For example, the so-called Wankel" engines or their equivalents arerepresentative of type (i) above; the so-called Stirling-cycle" enginesor their equivalents are representative of type (2) above; and theso-called Ryenco engines or their equivalents are representative of type(3) above. These types of engines have been mentioned merely asexemplary of the many dif ferent approaches that heretofore have beenmade in efforts to produce more efficient or simpler types of internalor external combustion engines.

However, even the simpler mechanical approaches. such as thoserepresented by type (l) above, still have not solved the problem sincethey all appear to require either the use of variable radius or linecontact seals, or inherently unbalanced relatively moving parts orcomplicated valving in order to operate properly, even for relativelylimited lengths of time before requiring parts, replacement orrebuilding to restore the desired operating efficiency.

In contrast, a rotary energy machine constructed in accordance with thisinvention does not require the use of a multi-lobed rotor rotatingwithin a complementary multi-lobed chamber, thus eliminating thevariable distance line contact sealing problem between the lobes of therotor and the walls of the chamber and provides a greatly simplifiedconstruction capable of high or low speed operation either as aninternal or external combustion engine, as a compressor or expander oras a pump, all of which versions employ essentially the same movingparts operating in the same manner. The machine may be constructed insingle, twin or multiple units each of which comprises simply astationary housing that supports an internal circular primary rotorrotatable about one fixed axis and having a parallel-sided symmetricallydisposed chamber extending along a diameter thereof, a drive or drivenshaft extending through the housing and rotatable about a second fixedaxis that is offset from and parallel to the axis of the pri mary rotor,and a circular secondary rotor mounted within the chamber of the primaryrotor and eccentrically affixed to the drive or driven shaft. Thehousing is provided with intake and exhaust ports and passages that arecomplementary to corresponding ports or accesses formed in the primaryrotor for communication with the interior of the chamber thereof as therespective ports come into registry during rotation of the primaryrotor.

Therefore, an object of this invention is to provide a rotary enginemachine that includes essentially only two moving parts namely, acircular primary rotor mounted within a stationary housing for rotationabout one fixed axis and having a parallel-sided symmetrically disposedchamber extending along a diameter thereof and a circular secondaryrotor mounted within the chamber of the primary rotor between theparallel side walls thereof and eccentrically affixed to a drive ordriven shaft carried by the stationary housing for rotation about asecond fixed axis that is offset from and parallel to the axis of theprimary rotor, whereby to effect cyclically varying increasing anddecreasing volumes at the ends of the chamber of the primary rotor asthat rotor and the secondary rotor continuously rotate in the samedirection at differential speeds.

Another object of this invention is to provide a machine of thecharacter stated in which a sliding seal is effected between theperiphery of the secondary rotor and the parallel walls of the chamberof the primary rotor through the use of a ring seal freely mounted onthe secondary rotor.

Another object of this invention is to provide a machine of thecharacter stated that can be fabricated in multiple units for operationalong a common drive or driven shaft and in which successive units areangularly offset with respect to preceding units to the degree necessaryto establish and maintain mechanical and operational balance.

Another object of this invention is to provide a machine of thecharacter stated in which each unit thereof is organized as a twostagebalanced assembly.

A further object of this invention is to provide a machine of thecharacter stated that effects a high ratio of volumetric capacity perunit weight.

A further object of this invention is to provide a machine of thecharacter stated that may be operated at high rotational speeds overprolonged periods of time without substantial loss in efficiency.

A further object of this invention is to provide a machine of thecharacter stated that, when operated as an internal combustion engine,will produce an exhaust containing a minimum of atmospheric pollutants.

With these and other objects, the nature of which will become apparent,the invention will be more fully understood by reference to thedrawings, the accompanying detailed description and the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIGS. 1-6 are generally schematic open front elevational views, takenalong line l-l of FIG. 7, of a single unit rotary energy machineconstructed in accordance with this invention for use as a two cycleinternal combustion engine and successively show the relative movementsbetween the primary rotor and the secondary rotor during each fullrevolution of the secondary rotor;

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal vertical section taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 1with the relative positions of the intake and exhaust ports indicated indotted lines in conformity with FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a generally schematic open front elevational view similar tothat of FIG. I, but taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 9, and showning a twostage internal combustion unit for substantially 360 power rotationwhich the primary rotor is provided with two angularly offset front andback chambers, the front chamber being shown in full lines and the backin dotted lines, and in which a secondary rotor is provided for eachchamber and suitable interstage ports and passages are provided withinthe housing.

FIG. 9 is a vertical longitudinal section taken along line 9-9 of FIG.8;

FIGS. 10 and 11 are comparable to FIGS. 8 and 9, but illustrate onemanner in which the machine may be adapted for use as a hydraulic pump.Here, FIG. 10 is an offset transverse vertical section taken along line10-10 of FIG. 11 and FIG. 11 is an offset longitudinal vertical sectiontaken along line 1lll of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a longitudinal section similar to FIG. 9 but additionallyshowing a pinion gear affixed to the driven shaft and a mating internalring gear affixed to the primary rotor to maintain a fixed rotativeratio therebetween;

FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 10 but showing a pump modification inwhich the chambers of the primary rotor are openended; and

FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 13 but showing a specially configuredseal ring on each secondary rotor and having a pair of parallel flatfaces disposed in slid ing Contact with the side walls of the respectivechambers.

Referring to the drawings in detail the invention, as illustrated. inembodied in a rotary energy machine in which each operative unit orsub-unit, regardless of its end use function, comprises essentially onlythree elements namely, a stationary housing, a circular primary rotorhaving a parallel sided diametric chamber and a secondary rotorrotatable within the chamber of the primary rotor and affixedeccentrically to a drive or driven shaft carried by the housing forrotation about an axis disposed in offset paralllel relation withrespect to the axis of the primary rotor.

For example, FIGS. 1-7 schematically illustrate how the principles ofthis may be applied to a single unit for operation as a two-cycle enginethat includes a stationary housing generally indicated 5, and a circularprimary rotor 6 mounted within the housing for rotation about its ownfixed axis and having a symmetrically disposed diametrically extendinginternal chamber generally indicated 7 provided with parallel side walls8, 8, arcuate end walls 9, 9 and end ports 10, extending into opencommunication with the exterior of the primary rotor. A secondarycircular rotor I 1, having a peripheral seal ring 12, is mounted withinthe chamber 7 for relative rotary and lineal movement with respectthereto and is eccentrically affixed to a driven shaft 13 carried by thehousing 5 for rotation about a fixed axis disposed in parallel offsetrelation with respect to the axis of the primary rotor 6. The housing 5is provided with separate intake and exhaust ports, respectivelyindicated at 14 and 15, which are located in the path of rotation of thechamber ports 10 in order to become registered therewith as the primaryrotor 6 rotates and a spark plug 16 is provided to initiate ignition.

In the operation of the above described embodiment of the inventionreference is made to FIGS. 17 in which FIGS. 1 and 7 show the parts at aOcenter where a compressed air-fuel charge is ready for ignition at thetop of the chamber 7 and a new uncompressed air-fuel charge has beenadmitted or drawn into the bottom of the chamber 7, and previous startuphas occurred so that rotation of the primary and secondary rotors andthe driven shaft 13 is taking place in a clockwise direction. In FIG. 2the primary rotor 6 has moved through an angle of45 while the secondaryrotor 11 has moved through an angle of and power producing expansion ofthe combustibles in the upper right portion of the chamber 7 is takingplace, while the newly admitted air-fuel charge at the lower leftportion of the chamber 7 is becoming compressed prior to ignition. InFIG. 3 the primary rotor 6 has moved through an angle of 90 while thesecondary rotor 11 has moved through an angle of This direct andrelative rotation of the primary and secondary rotors, and the drivenshaft 13, continues so that in the positions shown in FIG. 4 the port 10at the expansion end of the chamber 7 is passing through registry acrossthe exhaust port 15 to per- I mit discharges of the fully combusted andexpanded air-fuel mixture, while the opposite port 10 remains closed andthe fresh air-fuel mixture at that end of the chamber 7 continues toundergo compression. At the positions shown in FIG. 5, the lower port 10is passing through registry with the intake port 14 for admission of anew air-fuel mixture and the compressed air-fuel mixture at the oppositeend of the chamber 7 is approaching the point at which ignition is tooccur, while in FIG. 6, the primary rotor has just passed the deadcenter positions of FIG. 1 and a new power impulse is beginning as theresult of ignition of the compressed air-fuel mixture at the top of thechamber 7.

At this point of the description it should perhaps be mentioned that thedesignation of the rotor 6 as the primary rotor and the rotor 11 as thesecondary rotor is used only for the purposes of identification, ratherthan function, since their actual functions depend upon whether or notthis rotary energy machine is engineered for use as an engine, a pump orthe equivalents thereof: if as an engine as described above, the shaft13 becomes a driven shaft or if as a pump the shaft 13 becomes a drivingshaft.

Also, with respect to the above described single unit embodiment of theinvention as a two-cycle engine, it is necessary to balance orcounterbalance the secondary rotor 11 in order to achieve substantiallyvibration-free operation.

In contrast, the modification and advance shown in FIGS. 8 and 9provides an inherently self-balanced twostage engine unit designed forsubstantially 360 power rotation.

In this embodiment the stationary housing 5 contains a circular primaryrotor 17 provided with a first diametrically disposed frontparallel-sided chamber 18 and a second diametrically disposed rearparallel-sided chamber 19 oriented at a 90 angle with respect to thefront chamber 18 and separated therefrom by a median web 20 having acentral aperture 21 to provide clearance around an offset mounted drivenshaft 22 upon which is eccentrically mounted a compressor rotor 23contained within the front chamber 18 and an eccentrically mounted powerrotor 24 contained within the rear chamber 19.

Here, the front chamber 18 is provided with a pair of diametricallyopposed end ports 25, 25 for controlling the admission and compressionof air-fuel mixtures as will be hereinafter more fully described and therear chamber 19 is similarly provided with a pair of diametricallyopposed end ports 26, 26 for controlling admittance of the compressedair-fuel mixture to the ends of the chamber 19 and its exhaust ordischarge therefrom upon completion of combustion and expansion.

For these purposes (see FIG. 8) the stationary housing 5 first isprovided at its bottom with an intake port 27, in peripheral alignmentwith the compressor rotor 23, which communicates with an intake channel28 formed in the inner wall of the housing 5 and extending around theperiphery of the primary rotor 17 to a ter minus adjacent the top of thehousing and the stationary housing also is provided with a complementarycompressor discharge channel 29 located as shown in the lower rightquadrant of FIG. 8.

The stationary housing 5 secondly is provided at its bottom with anexhaust port 30, in peripheral alignment with the power rotor 24, whichcommunicates with an exhaust channel 31 formed in the inner wall of thehousing 5 and extending around substantially all of the right semicircle of the periphery of the primary rotor 17. A transverse (as viewedin FIG. 9) channel 32 is provided in the housing 5 adjacent the bottomthereof for effecting transfer of each compressed charge of air-fuelmixture from the terminal area of the channel 29 into an end portion ofthe primary rotor rear chamber 19 through one of the end ports 26 eachtime one of the ports 26 passes through registry there with. A sparkplug 33 is installed in the housing 5 at the bottom thereof inperipheral alignment with the power rotor 24 and in open communicationwith the associated end of the transverse channel 32 for ignitionpurposes.

A clear understanding of the operation of the embodiment shown in FIGS.8 and 9 can best be gained if it is first understood that the relativepositions of the primary rotor 17, the compressor rotor 23 and the powerrotor 24 are such that the front chamber 18 is in a horizontal point inits clockwise rotation, the compressor rotor 23 is at its top center andthe power rotor 24 is at its bottom center. At this stage, a new chargeof air-fuel mixture is being drawn into the left end of the frontchamber 18 via the intake port 27 and channel 28 while a previouslyinduced charge of air-fuel mixture is being compressed in the right endof the front chamber 18. Simultaneously at this stage, a previouslycompressed pre-combustion charge of air-fuel mixture has become admittedto the bottom of the vertically positioned rear chamber 19, via thechannels 29 and 32 as the power rotor 24 has approached its bot tomcenter position, while a previously combusted and expanded charge ofair-fuel mixture is ready to be ex hausted or expelled from the top ofthe rear chamber 19 via the exhaust channel 31 and exhaust port 30.

Thus, in operation. each new charge of air-fuel mixture is drawn into anassociated end of the front chamber 18, as the primary rotor 17 rotates,via the intake port 27, channel 28 and rotor end port 25. As theparticular end of the front chamber 18 passes the upper terminus of thechannel 28, the associated end port 25 becomes closed off by the wall ofthe housing 5 and compression of the air-fuel charge begins solelywithin that end of the front chamber 18 and continues, within a chambercollectively defined by the reducing volume of that end of the frontchamber 18, the compressor discharge channel 29 and the transversechannel 32, as soon as the associated end port 25 passes into registrywith the beginning of the compressor discharge channel 29.

Compression is maintained within the transverse channel 32 at this stageby the peripheral wall of the primary rotor 17 until one or the other ofthe end ports 26 of the rear chamber 19 thereof passes through registrytherewith to admit the compressed air-fuel mixture into an associatedend of the rear chamber 19 in preparation for ignition as soon as thatparticular end port has passed beyond registry with the transversechannel 32 into and through registry with the spark plug 33, thusproducing a power impulse within that end of the rear chamber 19 as theprimary rotor 17 continues to rotate.

Once the compressed air-fuel has become contained within the partialchamber defined by the channels 29 and 32 as the result of passage ofthe associated end port 25 therebeyond, that end port and the associatedend of the front chamber 18 again is in condition to draw in a freshcharge of air-fuel mixture as soon as that end port 25 passes throughregistry with the intake port 27 and its associated intake channel 28.

Concurrently. the ignited compressed air-fuel mixture at the bottom endof the rear chamber 19 expands until that end of the rear chamber 19reaches its top center, at which point its associated end port 26 passesinto and maintains registry with the exhaust channel 31 to effectivelyexpel the combusted products therealong and through the exhaust port 30as the relative motions between the power rotor 24 and the rear chamber19 effect a progressive decrease in the volume of that end of thechamber.

Thus, the above described embodiment provides substantially a 360 poweroperation and inherently is self balancing due to the offset of thefront and rear chambers 18 and 19 and to the offset of the eccentricallymounted compressor and power rotors 23 and 24.

As mentioned above. the principles of this invention also may be readilyadapted for use as a pump or compressor and in that connection. FIGS. 10and 11 schematically illustrate a hydraulic pump constructed inaccordance with this invention.

Here. the pump is organized as a twin delivery rotor single unit inorder to provide a substantially 360 pumping operation and includes astationary housing 34 within which is mounted a circular primary rotor35 for rotation about its own fixed axis and which is provided with asymmetrical parallel-sided diametrically disposed front chamber 36 andan identical rear chamber 37 offset at a 90 angle with respect to thechamber 36 and separated therefrom by a median web 38 having a centralaperture 39 to provide clearance for a housing-mounted drive shaft 40,the axis of which is in parallel offset relation to the axis of theprimary rotor 35. A front delivery rotor 41, having a slip-ring seal 42on its periphery is contained within the front chamber 36 and iseccentrically affixed to the drive shaft 40 for rotation therewith and arear delivery rotor 43, also having a slip-ring seal 42 on itsperiphery, is contained within the rear chamber 37 and is eccentricallyaffixed to the drive shaft 40 at an 180 offset with respect to that ofthe front delivery rotor 41.

The front chamber 36 is provided with a pair of diametrically opposedend ports 44, 44 that are diagonally and radially directed rearwardly tothe median periphcry of the primary rotor 35 and the rear chamber 37 isprovided with a similar pair of diametrically opposed end ports 45, 45that are diagonally and radially directed forwardly to the medianperiphery of the primary rotor 35.

The housing 34 is provided at its top (see FIG. 10) with an inlet port46 that opens into communication with an inlet channel 47 formed in theinner median wall of the housing around the general right half of theperiphery of the primary rotor and terminating adja cent the bottomthereof. The housing 34 also is provided at its top with an outlet port48 that opens into communication with an outlet channel 49 formed in theinner median wall of the housing around the gen eral left half of theperiphery of the primary rotor 35 and terminating adjacent the bottomthereof at a location separated from the bottom terminus of the inletchannel 47.

In operation of the pump, the drive shaft is pow' ered by a suitablemotor or other drive means to impart uniform clockwise rotary motion tothe delivery rotors 41 and 43 and a corresponding clockwise differentialrotary motion to the primary rotor 35. Assuming that the parts atstartup are as shown in FIG. 10, the front delivery rotor 41 is at topcenter, its associated chamber 36 is vertically aligned and the twin oropposite delivery rotor 43 is at bottom center and its associatedchamber 37 is horizontally aligned. As the top end port 44 of theprimary rotor 35 passes through registry with the inlet port 46 fluidwill be drawn in therethrough and along the inlet channel 47 as theeffective volume of that end of the front chamber 36 progressivelyincreases and the fluid will be admitted to the delivery channel 49after the particular end port 44 passes out of registry with the inletchannel 47 and into continuing registry with the outlet channel 49 sothat the fluid will be discharged under pressure from the outlet port 48as the effective volume ofthat end ofthe front chamber 36 progressivelydecreases to the minimum as the delivery rotor 41 again approaches thetop center position shown in FIG. [0, at which position the end port 44has passed beyond continuing registry with the outlet chan nel 49 andthe outlet port 48 and is again ready to admit fluid through the inletport 46 and inlet channel 47 as it moves through continuing registrytherewith as heretofore described.

Each of the end ports 44, 44 and 45, 45, the respectively associatedends of the chamber 36 and 37 and the delivery rotors 41 and 43 functionin the manner described above to collectively provide substantially a360 functional operation of the pump. Thus, with the parts as shown inFIG. 10, the top of the front chamber 36 is ready to receive fluidthrough the inlet port 46. the bottom of the front chamber 36 is filledwith fluid ready for discharge through the outlet port 48, the right endof the rear chamber 37 is receiving fluid through the inlet port 46 andthe left end of the rear chamber 37 is discharging fluid through theoutlet port 48, so that a substantially continuous intake and dischargeof the pumped fluid is achieved.

In the event that wider porting at the ends of the chambers 36 and 37and a consequent reduction in the lengths of the inlet and outletchannels 47 and 49 are required, as may be the case when extremely lowviscosity fluids or gases are to be pumped or compressed, the chambers36 and 37 may be open-ended as shown in FIG. 13, rather than closed andend'ported as previously described, while still retaining the slip-ringseals 42 on the delivery rotors. This of course would effect an oddlyshaped but still symmetrical plan profile at the ends of the chambers.Accordingly, if it is either desirable or necessary to maintain thegenerally lunate plan profile at the ends of the chambers for anypurpose, the slip-ring seal 42 may be replaced by a modified slip-ringseal 50 as shown in FIG. 14, which has parallel sides for slidingengagement between the parallel side walls of the chambers of theprimary rotor 35 and arcuate ends whose radii correspond to that of theperiphery of the primary rotor 35.

It should be understood that, regardless of whether or not theprinciples of this invention are embodied in an engine, a pump or anyother adaptation, it is important to assure that a l:] rotational ratiobe maintained between the housing and the primary rotor, a 2:1 rotational ratio be maintained between the housing and the drive or drivenshaft and a relative l1] rotational ratio be maintained between theprimary rotor and any secondary rotor. Such ratios are establishednaturally by the relative dimensions of the parts in relation to theeccentricity of the secondary rotors and the parallel separation betweenthe axis of the primary rotor and the axis of the drive or driven shaftand easily may be maintained, as shown in FIG. 12 for example, in whichthe driven shaft 13 is provided with a fixed pinion gear 51 for rotationwithin the aperture of the median web 20 and meshed with a complementaryinternal ring gear 52 affixed to the median web 20 of the primary rotor17.

Furthermore, it should be understood that the previously describedembodiments, or any modifications thereof, may be arranged in multiplesfor operation about a common drive or driven shaft or separatelyinstalled as multiple units that collectively may be connected to acommon drive or driven shaft through suitable gearing or other powertransfer means.

It also should be understood that while the various ports and channelshave been described as illustrated in the several embodiments ormodifications of the invention, such portings or channelings may bevaried within wide limits, depending upon the end uses of the machinesor upon the nature of the throughput gases. mixtures or liquids and theend result desired. It also should be understood that, in a somewhatbroader sense, variations in arrangements and proportions of parts maybe made within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a rotary energy convertor, a fixed housing provided with acylindrical chamber for receiving and operably supporting a primaryrotor, said housing being provided with an inlet port and an outlet portextending from the exterior thereof into open communication with theinterior of said cylindrical chamber; a circular primary rotor mountedwithin the cylindrical chamber of said housing for rotation about itsown fixed axis, said primary rotor being provided with a firstsymmetrical diametrically extending parallel-sided chamber; a firstcircular secondary rotor operably positioned within the said firstchamber of said primary rotor between the parallel sides thereof, saidfirst secondary rotor being eccentrically affixed to a shaft operablymounted in said housing for rotation about a fixed axis disposed inparallel offset relation with respect to the axis of rotation of saidprimary rotor; said primary rotor being provided with a secondsymmetrical diametrically extending parallel-sided chamber having itslongitudinal axis oriented at a angle with respect to the longitudinalaxis of said first parallel-sided chamber, said first and secondparallel-sided chambers being separated by a median web having a centralaperture whereby to provide clearance around said shaft; and a secondcircular secondary rotor operably positioned within said secondparallel-sided chamber between the parallel sides thereof and beingeccentrically affixed to said shaft at an orientation of l80 withrespect to said first secondary rotor; one portion of the wall of saidcy lindrical chamber being provided with an inlet channel having an openend in communication with said inlet port and lying in a general planeintermediate the general planes of said first and second secondaryrotors another portion of the wall of said cylindrical chamber beingprovided with an outlet channel having an open end in communication withsaid outlet port and lying in the said general plane intermediate thegeneral planes of said first and second secondary rotors. the ends ofeach of said parallel-sided chambers being provided with oppositelyextending angularly radially disposed ports having their outer endslocated at said general plane for sequential passing registry and opencommunication with said inlet and outlet ports and their associatedinlet and outlet channels, the respective ends of said inlet and outletchannels remote from said inlet and outlet ports being separated by aportion of the wall of said cylindrical chamber.

2. The rotary energy converter of claim 1 in which gearing connectionsare provided between said primary rotor and said shaft for maintaining apredetermined rotational ratio therebetween, said ratio being such thatfor a lzl rotational ratio between said housing and said primary rotorthere will be a 2:1 rotational ratio between said housing and saidsecondary rotors and their associated shaft and a 1:1 relativerotational ratio be tween said primary and said secondary rotors andtheir associated shaft.

3. The rotary energy convertor of claim 1 additionally including aslip-ring seal mounted on the periphery of each said secondary rotor.

4. The rotary energy converter of claim 3 in which each said slip-ringseal includes a pair ofspaced parallel sides complementary to theparallel sides of its associated parallel-sided chamber for slidingcontact relative

1. In a rotary energy convertor, a fixed housing provided with acylindrical chamber for receiving and operably supporting a primaryrotor, said housing being provided with an inlet port and an outlet portextending from the exterior thereof into open communication with theinterior of said cylindrical chamber; a circular primary rotor mountedwithin the cylindrical chamber of said housing for rotation about itsown fixed axis, said primary rotor being provided with a firstsymmetrical diametrically extending parallel-sided chamber; a firstcircular secondary rotor operably positioned within the said firstchamber of said primary rotor between the parallel sides thereof, saidfirst secondary rotor being eccentrically affixed to a shaft operablymounted in said housing for rotation about a fixed axis disposed inparallel offset relation with respect to the axis of rotation of saidprimary rotor; said primary rotor being provided with a secondsymmetrical diametrically extending parallel-sided chamber having itslongitudinal axis oriented at a 90.degree. angle with respect to thelongitudinal axis of said first parallel-sided chamber, said first andsecond parallel-sided chambers being separated by a median web having acentral aperture whereby to provide clearance around said shaft; and asecond circular secondary rotor operably positioned within said secondparallelsided chamber between the parallel sides thereof and beingeccentrically affixed to said shaft at an orientation of 180.degree.with respect to said first secondary rotor; one portion of the wall ofsaid cylindrical chamber being provided with an inlet channel having anopen end in communication with said inlet port and lying in a generalplane intermediate the general planes of said first and second secondaryrotors, another portion of the wall of said cylindrical chamber beingprovided with an outlet channel having an open end in communication withsaid outlet port and lying in the said general plane intermediate thegeneral planes of said first and second secondary rotors, the ends ofeach of said parallel-sided chambers being provided with oppositelyextending angularly radially disposed ports having their outer endslocated at said general plane for sequential passing registry and opencommunication with said inlet and outlet ports and their associatedinlet and outlet channels, the respective ends of said inlet and outletchannels remote from said inlet and outlet ports being separated by aportion of the wall of said cylindrical chamber.
 2. The rotary energyconverter of claim 1 in which gearing connections are provided betweensaid primary rotor and said shaft for maintaining a predeterminedrotational ratio therebetween, said ratio being such that for a 1:1rotational ratio between said housing and said primary rotor there willbe a 2:1 rotational ratio between said housing and said secondary rotorsand their associated shaft and a 1:1 relative rotational ratio betweensaid primary and said secondary rotors and their associated shaft. 3.The rotary energy convertor of claim 1 additionally including aslip-ring seal mounted on the periphery of each said secondary rotor. 4.The rotary energy converter of claim 3 in which each said slip-ring sealincludes a pair of spaced parallel sides complementary to the parallelsides of its associated parallel-sided chamber for sliding contactrelative thereto.